June 3, 2016
CapitalPress.com
13
Farm Market Report
Hay Market Reports
Potato Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • St. Joseph, Mo.-Portland
Compiled by North American Potato Market News and USDA
Agricultural Market Service
Hay prices are dollars per ton or dollars per bale when sold to re-
tail outlets. Basis is current delivery FOB barn or stack, or delivered
customer as indicated.
Grade guidelines used in this report have the following relation-
ship to Relative Feed Value (RFV), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF),
TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), or Crude Protein (CP) test num-
bers:
Grade
RFV
ADF
TDN
CP
Supreme 185+
<27
55.9+
22+
Premium 170-185
27-29
54.5-55.9
20-22
Good
150-170
29-32
52.5-54.5
18-20
Fair
130-150
32-35
50.5-52.5
16-18
Utility
<130
36+
<50.5
<16
CALIFORNIA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 27
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
16,585
16,050
7,430
Compared to May 20: All classes traded steady. Demand moder-
ate to light. Coming into the summer months, Lake Mead current-
ly sits at 37 percent full while Lake Powell is slightly higher at 48
percent full, according to the May 23 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s
Lower Colorado Water Supply Report.
Tons Price
REGION 1: NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN
Includes the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, and
Plumas.
Alfalfa
Supreme
150
$168
REGION 2: SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Includes the counties of Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter,
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento.
Alfalfa
Supreme
200
$210
Good/Prem. 300
$140
Good
125
$110
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Premium
125
$180
REGION 3: NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of San Joaquin, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tu-
olumne, Mono, Merced and Mariposa.
Alfalfa
Premium
250
$160
280
$160-170
125
$220
Good
1100 $130
Fair/Good 625
$110
Fair
55
$125
Oat
Good
600
600
225
$85
$75
$95
$75
Good
500
REGION 4: CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo.
Alfalfa
Supreme
200
$245
Fair/Good 75
$95
REGION 5: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Kern, Northeast Los Angeles, and West-
ern San Bernardino.
Alfalfa
Premium
450
$200
REGION 6: SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA
Includes the counties of Eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and
Imperial.
Alfalfa
Premium
600
$170
375
$185
Good/Prem. 1500 $155
3900 $150-155
100
$160-170
Good
300
$140
600
$142
Fair/Good 1100 $140
Bermuda Grass
Premium
1000 $150
Klein Grass
Premium
1000 $120
Teff
Premium
25
$190
Forage Mix-Four Way
Good
100
$150
OREGON AREA HAY
(USDA Market News)
Portland, Ore.
May 26
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
321
238
999
Compared to May 20: Prices trended generally steady compared
to week ago prices in a very limited test. Many hay producers are
sold out for the year. New crop hay is growing and will be harvested
in the upcoming weeks.
Tons Price
CROOK, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, WASCO COUNTIES
Orchard Grass Small Square Premium
30
$240-250
Grass Mix Five-Way Mid Square Good
5
200
Small Square
Premium
24
$240-265
EASTERN OREGON
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Small Square
Good/Prem. 20
$165
Wheat
HARNEY COUNTY
Orchard Grass Large Square Good
32
$180
LAKE COUNTY
Alfalfa Large Square
Good
120
$135
Small Square
Premium
75
$200
Alfalfa/Oat Mix Large Square Fair/Good 15
$100
KLAMATH BASIN: No new sales confirmed.
IDAHO HAY
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 26
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
4,600
3,000
3,600
Compared to May 20: All grades of Alfalfa steady in a light test.
New crop sales reported this week are having high moisture prob-
lems as rain showers dominate the trade area. Trade slow with light
to moderate demand. Idaho hay stocks are 6 percent higher than
a year ago on May 1, 2015. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this
week.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
600
$155
Prem./Sup. 2000 $125
Good/Prem. 2000 $125
WASHINGTON-OREGON HAY
(Columbia Basin)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 27
This week FOB
Last week
Last year
21,660
19,100
4,900
Compared to May 20: All grades of export and domestic Alfalfa
steady to firm. Trade active this week for new crop non-rained-on
export Alfalfa. Demand good for export quality light for dairy hay.
Dairy hay trade slow.
Rain showers over the trade area has damaged new crop sup-
plies. Washington hay stocks are 48 percent higher than a year ago
on May 1, 2015. Retail/Feedstore steady in a light test. Demand
remains good.
Tons Price
Alfalfa Mid Square
Supreme
2000 $155-160
Good/Prem. 15,000 $140-160
Good
400
$125
Fair/Good 1200 $110
3000 $120-125
Timothy Grass Small Square Good/Prem. 60
$150
Grain Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Portland
Grains are stated in dollars per bushel or hundredweight (cwt.)
except feed grains traded in dollars per ton. National grain report
bids are for rail delivery unless truck indicated.
PORTLAND GRAIN
(USDA Market News)
Portland
May 19
PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET SUMMARY
Cash wheat bids for May delivery ended the reporting week on
Thursday May 26, mixed compared to last week’s noon bids for May
delivery.
July wheat futures ended the reporting week on Thursday, May
26, higher as follows compared to last week’s closes: Chicago
wheat futures were 12.50 cents higher at $4.8125, Kansas City
wheat futures were 14.25 cents higher at $4.6225 and Minneapolis
wheat futures trended 6 cents higher at $5.3450.
Chicago July corn futures trended 18.25 cents higher at $4.0825
and July soybean futures closed 8.25 cents higher at $10.7975.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat delivered to Portland in unit
trains or barges during May for ordinary protein were not available
as most exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Some
exporters were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. There were no
white club wheat premiums for this week.
One year ago bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for
May delivery by unit trains and barges to Portland were not available
and bids for White Club Wheat were also not available.
Forward month bids for soft white wheat ordinary protein were
as follows: June $5.20-5.3125, July $5.20-5.3125 and August New
Crop $5.20-5.32. One year ago, forward month bids for soft white
wheat for any protein were as follows: June and July were not avail-
able, August New Crop and September $5.85-6.01.
Bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat guaranteed maximum 10.5 per-
cent protein during May were not available as most exporters were
not issuing bids for nearby delivery.
There were no white club wheat premiums for guaranteed maxi-
mum 10.5 percent protein soft white wheat this week. One year ago
bids for U.S. 1 Soft White Wheat any protein for May delivery by unit
trains and barges to Portland were not available and bids for White
Club Wheat were also not available. Forward month bids for soft
white wheat guaranteed 10.5 percent proteins were as follows: June
$5.32-5.4125, July $5.32-5.4125, August New Crop $5.30-5.5175
and September $5.32-5.4675 One year ago, forward month bids
for soft white wheat for any protein were as follows: June $6.0350-
6.1350, July $6.0150-6.1350, August New Crop $6.01-6.30, and
September $6.01-6.30.
Bids for 11.5 percent protein U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat for
May delivery were 14.25 to 22.25 cents per bushel higher compared
to the previous week’s noon bids for May delivery. Some exporters
were not issuing bids for nearby delivery. Bids were as follows: May
$5.3725-5.5225, June $5.3725-5.5225, July $5.3725-5.5225, Au-
gust New Crop $5.3350-5.5350 and September $5.5350.
Bids for non-guaranteed 14.0 percent protein U.S. 1 Dark North-
ern Spring Wheat for Portland delivery during May were 6 to 16
cents per bushel higher than the previous week’s noon bids for the
same delivery period. Some exporters were not issuing bids for
nearby delivery. Bids for non-guaranteed 14 percent protein were as
follows: May $6.2450-6.3950, June $6.2450-6.3950, July $6.2450-
6.3950, August New Crop and September $6.2225-6.4225.
COARSE FEEDING GRAINS
Bids for U.S. 2 Yellow Corn delivered full coast Pacific Northwest
- BN shuttle trains for May delivery were 22.25 to 24.25 cents higher
from $4.8825-4.9225 per bushel. Forward month corn bids were
as follows: June $4.8825-4.9625, July $4.9525-4.9825, August/
September $4.8850-550, October/November $4.9375-4.9975 and
December $4.9675-4.9975. Bids for U.S. 1 Yellow Soybeans deliv-
ered full coast Pacific Northwest - BN shuttle trains for May delivery
were 6.25 to 8.25 cents higher from $11.2975-11.3275 per bush-
el. Forward month soybean bids were as follows: June $11.3475,
July $11.3975-11.4875, August $11.3725-11.5025, September
$11.4050-11.4550 and October/November $11.4950-11.5250. Bids
for U.S. 2 Heavy White Oats for May delivery trended steady at
$3.92 per bushel.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST EXPORT NEWS
There were eight grain vessels in Columbia River ports on Thurs-
day, May 26, with three docked compared to seven last week with
two docked. There were no new confirmed export sales this week
from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) of the USDA.
CALIFORNIA GRAINS
(USDA Market News)
Portland
May 19
Prices in dollars per cwt., bulk Inc.= including; Nom.= nominal;
Ltd.= limited; Ind.= indicated; NYE=Not fully estimated.
GRAIN DELIVERED
Mode
Destination
Price per cwt.
BARLEY – U.S. No. 2 (46-lbs. per bushel)
FOB
Solano County
NA
Rail
Los Angeles
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock Bid $8.50
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$8.75-8.90
Kern County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Madera County
NA
Glenn County
NA
Colusa County
NA
Solano County
NA
CORN - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
FOB
Turlock-Tulare
$9.02
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $8.50
Kings-Tulare-Fresno
$7.75
Rail
Single Car Units via BNSF
Chino Valley-Los Angeles
$9.56-9.74
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $9.33
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.33
Glenn County
NA
SORGHUM - U.S. No. 2 Yellow
Rail
Los Angeles-Chino Valley
via BNSF Single
$9.45-9.49
Truck
Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock
$9.25
OATS - U.S. No. 1 White
Truck
Petaluma
$11.25
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock $11.25
Rail
Petaluma
NA
WHEAT - U.S. No. 2 or better-Hard Red Winter
(Domestic Values for Flour Milling)
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
NA
Truck/Rail Los Angeles 11-12 percent Protein
Los Angeles 12 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 13 percent Protein
NA
Los Angeles 14 percent Protein
NA
FOB
Tulare
NA
WHEAT - U.S. Durum Wheat
Truck
Imperial County
$11.08
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
WHEAT - Any Class for Feed
FOB
Tulare
NA
Kings-Tulare-Fresno Counties
$9.10
Merced County
$7.35
Truck/Rail Los Angeles-Chino Valley
NA
Truck
Petaluma-Santa Rosa
NA
Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock NA
King-Tulare-Fresno Counties
NA
Fresno
NA
Merced County
NA
Kern County
NA
Prices paid to California farmers, seven-day reporting period
ending May 12:
WHEAT, U.S. No 1, Hard Amber Durum for Flour Milling
Imperial Valley $11.08
Spot
Del locally
Livestock Auctions
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.)
except some replacement animals per pair or
head as indicated.
Washington
TOPPENISH
(Toppenish Livestock Auction)
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 26
This week
Last week
Last year
1,130
1,300
1,250
Compared to May 19 at the same market: Not
enough stocker or feeder cattle this week for ac-
curate price trends. Trade active with moderate
demand. Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $2
higher. Trade active with good demand. Slaugh-
ter cows 68 percent, slaughter bulls 5 percent,
and feeders 27 percent of the supply. The feeder
supply included 66 percent steers and 34 percent
heifers. Near 48 percent of the run weighed over
600 lbs. Replacement Cows: Pre-tested for preg-
nancy, and age.
Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: 600-
700 lbs. $147-152; 700-800 lbs. $142; 700-800
lbs. $133, Full; 800-900 lbs. $120. Medium and
Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $120, Full; 800-900 lbs.
$115. Small and Medium 1-2: 600-700 lbs. $133.
Small and Medium 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $144-145.
Small and Medium 4: 500-600 lbs. $99.50.
Feeder Holstein Steers: Large 2-3: 300-400
lbs. $110-124; 400-500 lbs. $102-108; 500-600
lbs. $107.50; 500-600 lbs. $117, Value Added.
Feeder Bulls: Large 2-3: 100-200 lbs. $185,
Per Head.
Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2: 400-
500 lbs. $142; 500-600 lbs. $139; 600-700 lbs.
$139. Medium and Large 2-3: 600-700 lbs. $119;
700-800 lbs. $100. Large 2-3: 100-200 lbs. $125-
137, Per Head; 800-900 lbs. $97, Heiferettes;
900-1000 lbs. $105, Heiferettes; 1000-1100 lbs.
$94.50, Heiferettes.
Slaughter Cows: Premium White 65-70 percent
lean few 1100-1700 lbs. $83-88; Boning 80-85
percent lean 1000-1900 lbs. $74-78; Boning 80-
85 percent lean 1300-1600 lbs. $79-83; Lean
85-90 percent lean 1100-1700 lbs. $72-77; Lean
Light 90 percent lean 1000-1200 lbs. $60-64.
Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1500-2600 lbs.
$98.50.
Bred Cows (Per Head): Medium and Large 1-2:
Few Young (3-4 yrs. old) 950 lbs. $1325 6-9 mos.
Idaho
CALDWELL
(Treasure Valley Livestock)
April 29
Steers (wt.): 300-400 lbs. $120; 400-500 lbs.
$115; 500-600 lbs. $79; 600-700 lbs. $90; 700-
800 lbs. $105; 800 lbs. and up $54.
Steers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $20; 300-400 lbs.
$225.
Heifers (wt.):600-700 lbs. $60; 700-800 lbs.
$70; 800-900 lbs. $98; 900-1000 lbs. $62; 1000-
1100 lbs. $68; 1100-1200 lbs. $60; 1200 lbs and
up $78.
Heifers (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $80; 300-400 lbs.
$200.
Bull Calf (hd.): 100-200 lbs. $50.
Bull Calf (wt.): 800-900 lbs. $105
.
Cows (wt.): 900-1000 lbs. $56; 1000-1100 lbs.
$51; 1100-1200 lbs. $50; 1200-1300 lbs. $69.50;
1300-1400 lbs. $66; 1400-1500 lbs. $62; 1500-
1600 lbs. $71.50; 1600-1700 lbs. $65; 1700-1800
lbs. $70; 1800-1900 lbs. $68.
Heiferettes (wt.): 1000-1100 lbs. $90; 1200-
Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)
— Soon, passengers zipping
along Interstate 35 will see a
lusher refuge and more food
for bees and butterflies in the
hopes of helping the insects
boost their declining popula-
tions, six states and the Fed-
eral Highway Administration
announced Thursday.
That 1,500-mile stretch of
road from northern Minneso-
ta to southern Texas is a fly-
way for monarch butterflies
that migrate between Mexico
and Canada, and is surround-
ed by acres of public land
that can serve as friendly ter-
ritory for the bees and butter-
flies that pollinate the plants
that produce much of the na-
tion’s food, such as fruits and
vegetables.
But the monarch butterfly
has lost population in recent
years, which researchers
say is due in part to shrink-
ing stands of milkweed, on
which butterflies feed and lay
eggs.
And last year, beekeep-
ers reported losing about 40
percent of honeybee colonies
in part due to pesticide use,
habitat loss and parasites.
The agreement signed
Thursday by officials from
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas
and the federal government is
meant to improve the habitat
and develop a branding cam-
paign to informally name the
Sheep/Wool Market Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Greeley, Colo.-San Angelo,
Texas
Wool prices in cents per pound and foreign
currency per kilogram, sheep prices in dollars per
hundredweight (cwt.) except some replacement
animals on per head basis as indicated.
NATIONAL WOOL REVIEW
(USDA Market News)
Greeley, Colo.
May 27
Domestic wool trading on a clean basis was at
a standstill this week. There were no confirmed
trades. Most wools traded so far this year have
been falling within the 80 to 85 percent of Aus-
tralia range. Prices have been remaining steady,
and have followed suit to the currency differenc-
es. It has been reported that yields for the current
season have been up, which would indicate the
winter this past year was closer to ideal for wool
producers.
Domestic wool trading on a greasy basis was
at a standstill this week. There were no confirmed
trades.
Domestic wool tags
No. 1
$.60-.70
No. 2
$.50-.60
No. 3
$.40-.50
NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY
(USDA Market News)
San Angelo, Texas
May 27
Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs were
steady to $10 higher. Slaughter ewes were steady
to $7.50 higher. Feeder lambs were mostly steady
to $10 higher.
At San Angelo, Texas, 5,044 head sold. No
sales in Equity Electronic Auction.
In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder
lambs were steady. 3,300 head of negotiated
sales of slaughter lambs were unevenly steady.
9,900 head of formula sales had no trend due to
confidentiality. 4,744 lamb carcasses sold with 45
lbs. and down $12.56 lower; 45-65 lbs. no trend
due to confidentiality; 65-75 lbs. $3.44 higher; 75-
85 lbs. $1.19 higher and 85 lbs. and up no trend
due to confidentiality.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:
San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-135 lbs.
$130-138.
SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:
San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $210-230, few 230-
238; 60-70 lbs. $180-200, few $200-228; 70-80
lbs. $165- 184; 80-90 lbs. $160-176, few $180-
182; 90- 110 lbs. $160-170.
DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent
shrink or equivalent):
3,300 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 127-
187 lbs. $128- 150 (wtd avg $139.90).
California: 1,900 Feeder Lambs 105-115 lbs.
$160.
Idaho: 600 Slaughter Ewes Utility and Good
1-3 $45; Cull and Utility 1-2 $25.
SLAUGHTER EWES:
San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $55-66.50; Util-
ity and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $70-82; Utility
1-2 (thin) $60- 72; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin)
$55-60; Cull 1 (extremely thin) $22-50.
FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:
San Angelo: 50-60 lbs. $200-210; 60-70 lbs.
$180-184; 70-90 lbs. $175-182; 90-95 lbs. $169-
179.
REPLACEMENT EWES Medium and Large
1-2:
San Angelo: mixed age hair ewes 90-150 lbs.
$102-130 cwt.
NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice
and Prime 1-4:
Weight
Wtd. avg.
45 lbs. Down
$487.14
45-55 lbs.
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
55-65 lbs.
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
65-75 lbs.
$288.91
75-85 lbs.
$276.98
85 lbs. and up
Price not reported due to
confidentiality
Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal in-
spection for the week to date totaled 39,000 com-
pared with 40,000 last week and 33,000 last year.
California Egg Reports
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Des Moines
Shell egg marketer’s benchmark price for negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in
cartons, cents per dozen. This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
DAILY CALIFORNIA SHELL EGGS
(USDA Market News)
Des Moines, Iowa
May 26
Benchmark prices are steady. Asking prices for next week are unchanged for Jumbo, 10 cents lower for
Extra Large, 9 cents lower for Large and 3 cents lower for Medium and Small. The undertone is usually
lower. Retail demand is light to at best moderate with food service movement moderate. Offerings are
heavy. Supplies are moderate to instances heavy. Market activity is slow. Small benchmark price 66
cents.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
125
Extra large
112
Large
104
Medium
86
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Prices to retailers, sales to volume buyers, USDA Grade AA and Grade AA, white eggs in cartons,
delivered store door.
Size
Range
Size
Range
Jumbo
77-88
Extra large
38-49
Large
35-44
Medium
24-33
Cattle Market Reports
1300 lbs. $94.50; 1300-1400 lbs. $85; 1400-1500
lbs. $90.
Oregon
MADRAS
(Central Oregon Livestock Auction)
May 23
Total head count: 239.
Baby calves: NA.
Steers: 400-500 lbs. $150-160; 500-600 lbs.
$145-155; 600-700 lbs. $135-145; 700-800 lbs.
$130-140; 800-900 lbs. $125-130.
Bulls: High yield $95-102; mostly $93; thinner
$87-95.
Pairs: NA.
Bred cows: NA.
Heifers: 400-500 lbs. $140-150; 500-600 lbs.
$130-140; 600-700 lbs. $125-130; 700-800 lbs.
$120-125.
Heiferettes: 850-1000 lbs. $105-120.
Cows: Heiferettes $90; Fleshy cows $77; high-
yield $75; medium-yield $73; low-yield $65.
Oregon
VALE
(Producers Livestock Market)
May 25
Total receipts: 507 head.
Comments: Grass calf market steady with fair
demand.
Steer calves: 400-500 lbs. $147-169; 500-600
lbs. $143-160.
Heifer calves: 400-500 lbs. $137-147; 500-600
lbs. $119-138.
Yearling steers: 600-700 lbs. $136-150; 700-
800 lbs. $123-135; 800-900 lbs. $112-124; 900-
1000 lbs. $107-119.
Yearling heifers: 600-700 lbs. $111-129; 700-
800 lbs. $107-121.
Light Holstein steers, 600 lbs. and under: NA.
Light Holstein steers, 700 lbs. and over: NA.
Stock cows (young): NA.
Stock cows (B.M.): $1050-1300.
Pairs, young: $1375-1600.
Butcher cows: $66-75.
Thin shelly cows: $47-61.
Butcher bulls: $77-88.
Heiferettes: $81-96.
California
SHASTA
(Shasta Livestock Auction)
Cottonwood, Calif.
May 27
Current week Last week
1,502
2,703
Compared to May 20: Slaughter cows and bulls
$3 lower.
Few cattle under 400 lbs., which were lower.
Steers over 600 lbs. steady to $5 lower. Heifers
over 600 lbs. were mixed. Off lots and singles
$30-75 below top.
Slaughter cows: High yielding $65-70; $71-75
high dress; Boning $59-64; Cutters $40-60.
Bulls 1 and 2: $65-90.
Feeder steers: 450-500 lbs. $150-160; 500-550
lbs. $152-160; 600-650 lbs. $140-156; 650-700
lbs. $137-150.50; 700-750 lbs. $133-150; 750-
800 lbs. $132-138; 800-900 lbs. $120-139; 900-
1,000 lbs. $116-125.
Feeder lbs. heifers: 450-500 lbs. $144-151 lbs.;
500-550 lbs. $130-147; 550-600 lbs. $130-142;
600-650 lbs. $130-135.50; 650-700 lbs. $120-
130; 700-750 lbs. $125-131.50; 750-800 lbs.
$124-133; 800-900 lbs. $115-132.50.
Pairs: Few $1300-$2025.
Calvy cows: Few $1200-1450.
Interstate highway becomes butterfly flyway
By DAVID PITT
Prices are weekly averages of daily prices. All prices are in dollars per hundredweight (cwt.). FWA is a
weighted average of shipping point prices or common packs in each area. Weights differ by area. GRI is
the Grower Returns Index for each individual area.
FRESH RUSSET POTATO MARKET REPORT
(North American Potato Market News)
(USDA Market News)
May 28
Market commentary: Packers in the San Luis Valley and the Columbia Basin are leading the charge for
higher count carton prices.
SHIPPING AREA
FWA
Chg
GRI
Chg
70 ct
Chg
10 lb. Film
Chg
IDAHO BURBANKS
$14.03
$0.23
$6.25
$0.14
$25
$1
$7.50
$0
COLUMBIA BASIN
$15.41
$0.50
$7.16
$0.31
$25
$1
$8.50
$0
interstate the Monarch High-
way.
The agreement forms what
it calls “a cooperative and co-
ordinated effort to establish
best practices and promote
public awareness of the mon-
arch butterfly and other polli-
nator conservation.”
“We’ve actually found
in Minnesota that restoring
prairie along the interstate
is not only good for the en-
vironment but it helps reduce
our maintenance costs,” said
Charles Zelle, commissioner
of the Minnesota Department
of Transportation.
Natural prairie grasses
and flowers that provide for-
aging habitat and places to
breed, nest and overwinter
also don’t have to be mowed
as often and help prevent ero-
sion on steep banks, he said.
The transportation agen-
cies will share seed mixes
and roadside management
practices that promote the
best habitats for pollinating
insects while making sure the
roadside areas are still safe
for drivers, Zelle said.
The federal government’s
involvement stems from an
executive memo issued by
President Barack Obama in
June 2014 directing agencies
to create a federal strategy to
promote pollinator health. A
task force last year set a goal
of restoring or enhancing 7
million acres of land over the
next five years through feder-
al actions and public/private
partnerships.
Compiled by USDA Market News Service • Oklahoma City-Des
Moines-St. Joseph, Mo.-Moses Lake, Wash.
Cattle prices in dollars per hundredweight
(cwt.) except some replacement animals per
pair or head as indicated.
NATIONAL FEEDER AND STOCKER CATTLE
(Federal-State Market News)
St. Joseph, Mo.
May 26
This week
Last week
Last year
220,100
234,700
162,400
The feeder cattle markets nationwide had a
common term listed in most every market report
— lower. It just depended on where in the coun-
try as to how much lower it was.
Compared to last week, feeder steers and
heifers were mostly $3 to $10 lower, with steer
and heifer calves ranging $5 to $15 lower.
Direct feeder trade this week has been slow
due to the large difference in bids and offers. Af-
ter a couple weeks of higher trends, the feeder
cattle market freight train came to a screeching
halt as the recent Cattle on Feed Placement
number put the brakes on. Recalling the April
2016 Placement number being at 107 percent
of 2015; analysts were not expecting that high a
figure. However, the placement number in 2016
was reported at 1.664 million head; 116,000
head more than a year ago and just 41,000 head
more than 2014.
April 2015 placements were as herd expan-
sion was in full swing and producers were sell-
ing fed cattle in the $160s all month long and
betting on the future. The CME Cattle complex
took the placement number to heart and moved
both Feeders and Live Cattle contracts to limit or
near limit lower closes on May 22 and additional
losses on May 23.
Contracts then recovered throughout the latter
half of the week to close the week within $1.50
to $2 of May 19. Cattle coming off wheat this
month have had tremendous weather to pack on
the pounds through their grazing period; there
has not been a shortage of cattle for sale weigh-
ing over 900 lbs.
This week, fed cattle trade in the South Plains
have been sold at $125 after last week’s $130-
132 trade. Carcass weights have come down
from the winter highs as the marketing of calf-
feds is in full swing and front end supplies ap-
pear to be manageable at this time.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is the
start of the summer grilling season and is one
of the times to see if consumers are willing
to purchase high quality beef items. May 26
Choice Boxed Beef price reported at $222.72;
$3.24 lower than the May 19 close and $42.87
lower than the all-time high of $265.59 on May
19, 2015.
Across the Plains this week, storms from
Texas to South Dakota have left an abundance
of flash flood warnings, with the most severe
weather spawning tornado activity.
Corn and soybean planting progress is right
on with the previous 5 year average as of May
22; those rains this week could certainly hinder
progress; however, with today’s large equipment
it allows farmers to catch up in a hurry. Auction
volume this week included 55 percent weighing
over 600 lbs and 41 percent heifers.
AUCTIONS
This week
Last week
Last year
158,400
188,700
104,000
WASHINGTON 1,500. 54 pct over 600 lbs. 33
pct heifers. Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 550-
600 lbs. $139.60.
DIRECT
This week
Last week
Last year
27,000
44,800
36,700
SOUTHWEST (Arizona-California-Nevada)
3,700. No cattle over 600 lbs. No heifers. Hol-
steins: Large 3 275 lbs. $135 October Del; 325
lbs. $128-130.10 October Del.
NORTHWEST (Washington-Oregon-Idaho)
3,700. 100 pct over 600 lbs. 26 pct heifers.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 Current FOB
Price 850-900 lbs. $134 Idaho. Current Deliv-
ered Price: 850-900 lbs. $141-142 Washing-
ton-Idaho; 900-1000 lbs. $126-140. Large 1:
Future Delivery Delivered Price: 900-950 lbs.
$140 for July-August Idaho. Heifers: Large 1:
Current FOB Price: 900 lbs. $129 Washington.
Future Delivery Delivered Price: 750 lbs. $139
Washington-Idaho; 850-900 lbs. $129-137
Washington-Idaho.
NATIONAL SLAUGHTER CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Oklahoma City, Okla.
May 26
Slaughter cattle sold $5-9 lower in Texas and
Kansas. Dressed basis sales were $8 lower in
Nebraska. Live Cattle futures were sharply lower
after the previous week’s Cattle on Feed report
tightening up the spread between cash trade
and the contract months. Packers took advan-
tage and bought cattle lower. Boxed Beef prices
at noon May 26 averaged $212.02 from May 19.
The Choice/Select spread is $20.58.
Slaughter cattle on a national basis for nego-
tiated cash trades through noon May 26 totaled
about 56,883 head. The previous week’s total
head count was 87,102 head.
Midwest Direct Markets: Live Basis: Steers
and Heifers: $122-125.50. Dressed Basis:
Steers and Heifers $197-198.
South Plains Direct Markets: Live Basis:
Steers and Heifers $122-125.
Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding
Prices): Slaughter cows and bulls steady to $1
higher. Cutter Cow Carcass Cut-Out Value May
26 was $173.73 up $1.45 from May 19.
NORTHWEST DIRECT CATTLE
(USDA Market News)
Moses Lake, Wash.
May 26
This week
Last week
Last year
3,700
5,200
2,100
Compared to May 19: Feeder cattle steady to
$2 lower. Trade slow. Demand moderate to good
at the lower price levels. The feeder supply in-
cluded 74 percent steers and 26 percent heifers.
Near 100 percent of the supply weighed over
600 lbs. Prices are FOB weighing point with a
1-4 percent shrink or equivalent and with a 5-12
cent slide on calves and a 3-8 cent slide on year-
lings. Delivered prices include freight, commis-
sions and other expenses. Current sales are up
to 14 days delivery.
Steers: Medium and Large 1-2: Current FOB
Price: 850-900 lbs. $134 Idaho. Current Deliv-
ered Price: 850-900 lbs. $141-142 Washing-
ton-Idaho; 900-1000 lbs. $126-140. Large 1:
Future Delivery Delivered Price: 900-950 lbs.
$140 for July-August Idaho.
Heifers: Large 1: Current FOB Price: 900 lbs.
$129 Washington. Future Delivery Delivered
Price: 750 lbs. $139 Washington-Idaho; 850-900
lbs. $129-137 Washington-Idaho.